After going 24-0 in Japan's Pacific League last season, Tanaka agreed this week to a $155 million, seven-year contract with New York. Jeter says "the game is pitching" and "from everything I've heard, he's going to be quite an addition to our team."

Tanaka was 99-35 with a 2.30 ERA in seven seasons with the Rakuten Golden Eagles, striking out 1,238 in 1,315 innings.

Following just the second season in 19 years that didn't include a playoff appearance, the Yankees also agreed to deals during the offseason with catcher Brian McCann ($85 million for five years) and outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury ($153 million for seven) and Carlos Beltran ($45 million for three).